A new pedestrian crossing on a cycle lane in Cardiff has divided opinion - but there's a very sensible reason why it exists, and it's actually the first of its kind in the whole UK. The crossing is on Wood Street in the city centre and includes a button on either side that people can use to stop bike traffic and cross the cycle lane.
The cycle lane has confused some people but it turns out it's got a specific purpose - to help blind and partially-sighted people cross the cycleway. The design was conceived with the input of disability groups who advised Cardiff Council.
A spokesperson for the council said: "The controlled pedestrian crossing that has been installed on Wood Street is a trial and is the first crossing of its kind in the UK. It is designed to enable blind and partially-sighted people to cross the cycleway and the road safely.
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"The design of the bespoke ‘push button crossing’ was produced following work with a range of disability groups through the Cardiff Access Forum to understand their needs, and to ensure that the new road layout on Wood Street is as accessible and safe as possible for all road users."
Some WalesOnline readers were supportive of the cycle lane, with Clive Reynolds saying: "Good on Cardiff for becoming more inclusive of cyclists. Many new cycle lanes in place, but still lots more can be done."
Peter Poonia added: "It's not an uncommon thing in Europe, where they successfully manage to get cars and bikes to use the roads together nicely!"
But Steven Baker pointed out: "They don’t stop at red lights on the road so good luck getting them to stop for this," with Avril Moore adding: "Got off a bus on Newport Road where there is a zebra crossing for passengers getting on or off and a bike went straight through nearly hitting me. They will just ignore it."
Existing cycle lanes in Cardiff have been criticised in the past by blind and partially-sighted people. In 2021, concerns were raised by a man who stepped off a bus with his guide dog, directly into a cycle lane with no markings to indicate to him that it was there.
People were also seen standing and walking in the Wood Street cycle lane when our photographer visited. The cycle lanes across Cardiff in general have split opinion - with those on Cathays Terrace being some of the most controversial.
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